Current Affairs - Technology - Discussion

The X-37B, officially known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a highly secretive U.S. spaceplane developed initially by NASA and later managed by Boeing for the Department of Defense. Operated today by the U.S. Space Force, the X-37B has carried out multiple classified missions since its first launch in 2010. Measuring around 9 meters in length with a 4.5-meter wingspan, it resembles a mini space shuttle and features a payload bay comparable to a small pickup truck bed. Its standout capability is reusability and endurance, with the ability to remain in orbit for over 900 days. The program is widely believed to test advanced space technologies, materials, and sensors, potentially serving as a platform for future space dominance in an era of growing strategic competition.